East of England
This region is home to many historic gardens, which often surround some of Britain’s most magnificent stately homes, including the Queen’s famous country retreat at Sandringham (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/gardens/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0161293). Don’t miss the exquisitely restored 17th century gardens at Hatfield House (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/gardens/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0180653), where Queen Elizabeth I lived as a girl. Rose lovers will enjoy Mannington Hall (www.norfolkcoast.co.uk/articles/mannington.htm), with its thousands of classic varieties, whilst Wrest Park (www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/conProperty.51) (Silsoe) has a formal 18th century layout of wooded walks and canals. Blickling Hall (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0232309) has bluebells in spring, huge herbaceous borders in summer, then magnificent Autumn colours, whilst Audley End (www.visiteastofengland.com/be-inspired/heritage/thedms.aspx?dms=13&venue=0231902) is landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, and noted for its organic kitchen garden.
On the specialist gardens trail you’ll find dazzling plant displays and a myriad of garden features such as museums and mazes, follies and fantasies. From Beth Chatto’s famous garden (www.bethchatto.co.uk/) (nr. Colchester), a triumph of personal endeavour, to the purple haze of the lavender fields at Norfolk Lavender with its national collection of these lovely aromatic plants. True plant enthusiasts should start at Cambridge University Botanic Garden (www.botanic.cam.ac.uk/), home to magnificent specimen trees and several national collections. Great gardeners emerge in every era, such as Alan Bloom who pioneered his island beds for hardy perennials at Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens (www.bressingham.co.uk/). Whilst here, don’t miss the Foggy Bottom garden too. Head south to enjoy the various gardens at RHS Hyde Hall (www.rhs.org.uk/whatson/gardens/hydehall/index.asp) (nr. Chelmsford), which was created from a windswept hill, with herbaceous borders and a rose rope walk.
Many gardens, like the Fairhaven Woodland Water Garden (www.fairhavengarden.co.uk/) (South Walsham), are carefully managed to preserve the many different birds and animals that make their homes there. Marks Hall Garden and Arboretum (www.markshall.org.uk/arboretum_and_lakeside_gardens) (nr. Coggeshall) has over 100 acres of specimen trees. See a double rowed avenue of Sequoias planted in the 19th century at Lynford Arboreum in the Thetford Forest Park (www.forestry.gov.uk/website/recreation.nsf/LUWebDocsByKey/EnglandEastAngliaForestsofEastAngliaThetfordForestPark). Close by; explore the water gardens at Gooderstone, where no fewer than 13 bridges span ponds, waterways and a natural trout stream. Finally head north to Sheringham Park (www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-sheringhampark/), laid out by the 18th century landscape gardener Humphry Repton. It offers fantastic coastal vistas, alongside breathtaking displays of rhododendrons and azaleas.
Find out more about gardens in the East of England